Understanding Texas Capital Gains Tax in 2024: A Detailed Overview

Introduction

When choosing to sell a house in Texas as an individual or an investor, it is essential to consider many factors, and understanding all types of taxes is one of them. Many taxes are imposed on home sellers according to the condition, situation, location, income, and purpose of selling a house in Texas. Interestingly, the Texas government does not impose income tax when selling homes in Collin and other Texas counties. It confirms you are bound only to pay the Texas capital gains tax imposed by the federal government.

The issue related to capital gains tax in Texas is that many people do not know much about it. If you understand capital gains tax in Texas, you can save a considerable amount you would pay to the federal government. Only smart decisions are required to capitalize on this incentive and get maximum profits through investment. This comprehensive guide is written to help you understand Texas capital gains tax, its types (short and long-term capital gains taxes), exemptions, and strategies.

So, be prepared and buckle up for the benefits you will get through saving taxes on selling a house in Texas.

Key Takeaways: Texas Capital Gains Tax

• Texas government does not impose any state capital gains tax. However, individuals may need to pay federal taxes.
• You can eliminate your liability intelligently when selling a property in Texas through exemptions and strategies.
• Recordkeeping with accurate information is essential to achieve compliance with state tax laws in Texas. This correct recordkeeping also helps you calculate Texas capital gains tax liability.

What is Capital Gain Tax in Texas?

When you sell a property or any other capital asset and generate profit, a specific percentage is submitted to the authorities in the form of tax, called capital gains tax. Stocks, houses and plots, and all other real estate and property types are a part of capital assets, and you must pay capital gains tax in Texas if you fall into the category.

Interestingly, eight states, including Texas, Nevada, Tennessee, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, Florida, and New Hampshire, do not impose any state-level capital gains tax. We also want to mention Washington as we relate to the real estate business. In this state, selling or exchanging houses and other real estate does not fall in the category where capital gains tax becomes necessary.

Now, we understand that Texas capital gains tax is not imposed. However, capital gains taxes are levied at the federal level. Therefore, selling a property in Texas means you may be liable to pay federal capital gains tax. However, if you know about exemptions and strategies, you can quickly reduce or avoid these taxes. In the following lines, we will discuss how capital gains tax in Dallas is calculated and how to minimize it. This way, we get the answer to the following question, “How much is tax in Texas”.

Comparing Federal and Texas Capital Gains Taxes

No state capital gains tax is implemented when selling your house in Texas. It means you will be liable only for capital gains tax implemented by the federal government. When discussing types, long-term capital gains tax is the one that is implemented when you sell your capital asset after one year or longer. The rate can be 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on income and asset type. You may experience some exceptions when falling into this category, and collectibles are one of them. The tax rate can be more than the mentioned percentage in this case.

However, in any case, it cannot be out of your ordinary income tax bracket. On the other hand, short-term capital gains tax is taxed according to the rate you pay on your ordinary income.

Remember that long-term capital gains tax brackets are updated every year. Therefore, when estimating your tax liability for a specific year, check current income limits to calculate tax liability for a year.

The Capital Gains Tax Rate in Other States

Texas is a beautiful state when comparing other conditions regarding taxes. Texas has no inheritance tax; you can find it in different forms. Similarly, the Texas government does not impose any capital gains tax in Texas. On the other hand, some other states impose relatively higher rates. For example, if you live in California, the capital gains tax rate is 13.3%. Oregon and Minnesota are behind California and implement 9.9% and 9.85% respectively. Washington and New Jersey have some unique features and additional nuances, although they have higher capital gains tax rates of 10.75%.

These tax benefits make Texas the most attractive place for real estate and property investors. Only a few other states can match the facilities Texas provides to its residents. For example, Florida does not impose any capital gains tax. We think this information will help you make better-informed decisions when selling property or investing in it to resell it for better profits.

Difference between Short and Long-Term Capital Gains Tax

We have already discussed short-term capital gains tax and long-term capital gains tax. This section will discuss Texas capital gains tax of these types in detail.

Short-term gains are those we get when selling a capital asset within a year. On the other hand, long-term capital gains are those we get after selling a capital asset that has been in our custody for more than a year.

Short-term capital gains tax is like your ordinary income tax. However, long-term capital gains tax can be 15% or 20%. Generally, it depends on your income tax bracket. Let us investigate this topic more deeply!

Short-Term Capital Gains

As you know, short-term gains are when selling a capital asset within a year after buying it. Interestingly, this gain is contingent upon the seller’s regular income. Therefore, you need to pay more capital gains tax in Texas if you get short-term capital gains compared to long-term capital gains tax. Consequently, we can easily find a difference between the two terms, as you pay more tax with short-term gains.

Long-Term Capital Gains

You pay long-term capital gains tax when you sell an asset after holding it for a year or more and generate profits. The range of this tax is between 0% and 20%. The type of asset and your taxable income determine this percentage. Overall, the rate of this tax remains less than short-term capital gains. The purpose of this difference in taxes is to encourage potential buyers and investors to hold it for a year.

How to reduce Texas Capital Gains Taxes: Exemptions and Strategies

The best part of a federal capital gains tax in Texas is that you have numerous strategies and exemptions to keep the tax percentage at a lower level. In some cases, you may not even pay any tax. As taxpayers, sellers need to remember these exemptions and strategies. Let us discuss these exemptions and strategies separately!

Primary residency exemption

If you have been living in a particular house and using it as a primary residence in Denton or any other county for at least two years or have resided for more than two years in the last five years, you can apply for this exemption. However, this exemption is available only if you have not used any similar exemption for another property in the last two years.

If you are eligible for this exemption, you can apply for an exemption of $250,000. Moreover, if you are a couple and file jointly, this exemption limit is up to $500,000. Interestingly, this exemption can be such a benefit because you may be fully exempted in many cases, and if it is applied, only a small amount is paid.

Remember, this exemption involves marriage status. Therefore, if this status is ready to change or the divorce process has been completed, consult a tax advisor who will guide you in dealing with this issue. Generally, the exemption is available if you sell your home during a divorce in Texas or your spouse has passed during the last two years; this exemption will remain available. Still, consult a tax consultant for complete information.

Section 1031 Exchange

You can avail yourself of this exemption if you want to invest your income in the following property with similar features. We call these properties “like-kind” properties. If you wish to do so, you can defer the tax payments, and if you buy a new property within 180 days after selling the current property, you are eligible to apply for this exemption. Interestingly, the IRS considers all properties to be like-kind ones. However, for foreigners, properties in the United States of America are not like-kind.

This exemption benefits real estate investors who want to grow their portfolios. The federal government wants to facilitate the investors and help them get the maximum profits without worrying about substantial tax liabilities.

Income-Based Exemptions

These exemptions help you reduce your tax liability. However, correct information must be with you if you want to apply for this liability related to Texas capital gains tax. You can apply for this exemption if you fall in the bracket of those with a current 0% capital gains tax income bracket. It means if your annual income is not taxable, although you pay annual taxes regularly, you are exempted from capital gains tax. However, get authentic consultation to get the maximum benefits.

Strategies to reduce taxes on selling a property in Texas.

As we have the maximum information related to the Texas capital gains tax, we can strategize to reduce the tax costs according to the situation. For example, you can wait a year to reduce tax rates. Additionally, you may expect to make more profits when using this strategy. You can also save taxes if you use Section 1031 exemptions. However, you must be proactive and make intelligent decisions to deal with tax savings. However, your tax consultant can guide you thoroughly as it is the person who has all the details and addresses your tax liability. It is because he is specialized in his field and charges a fee from you to provide you with the maximum information.

Maximize Your Gains with Whirlwind Homes

Ready to sell your property in Texas with the best financial outcome? Whirlwind Homes is here to guide you through the nuances of Texas capital gains tax. Their expertise helps you navigate the tax landscape, ensuring you keep more profits. With their in-depth understanding of exemptions, strategies, and market trends, they make selling in Texas not just easy but also more profitable. Don’t let capital gains tax complexities deter you. Contact Whirlwind Homes today and turn your property sale into a success story. Let them help you make informed decisions and maximize your returns!

Conclusion: How to navigate Texas Capital Gains Tax Conveniently

Suppose you are a first-time seller real estate investor or want to generate money through properties. In that case, it is essential to understand the intricacies attached to capital gains and taxes on it. However, getting the maximum details about federal and state-level capital gains taxes is necessary. In this discussion, we have provided the maximum information about Texas capital gains tax. However, we understand complete information needs to be provided. You can ask questions from us through the comments section, and we will try to provide you with the maximum details. Our FAQ section (given below) can also help you to get more information.

Frequently Asked Questions